This year was awesome for us!It was the first time that we stayed home for Christmas. Silas and I decided that it was time for us to have Christmas morning at home, only the five of us. Then we decided that we didn't want to even travel, but have a good, relaxing time...at home.
It has been lovely. We scaled way back, present wise, but it was a very good Christmas. Cleod's present from Santa was "just what [he] always wanted!" He also got Dick and Jane books from his grandparents, which are awesome for new readers! He loves them.
Ryan is at such a funny stage. Santa brought his boots, which he put on right away and loves. He's obsessed with the movie Bolt, so the puppy that Cleod picked out for him was perfect.
Grant had a great Christmas too. Santa got him a drum which the other boys like A LOT. Too much probably. The second thing he opened was a ball from his grandparents and we could have stopped right there. He loves kicking it around the house.
We also found out that Grant LOVES clementines.
Silas and I had a good Christmas too, although we really decided this year that we didn't need gifts. I got a stepping stool and scrapbook stuff from my sister-in-law Ang, which I was SUPER excited about. Silas got a crossword puzzle planner from his brother Josiah and his family.
My favorite thing we got was $50 from my parents to use to buy food storage. I have already purchased 100 pounds of rice and buckets to seal them in. Rice is important to have when you have little kids!
Christmas dinner was yummy. Silas made his dad's ham recipe, I made mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, and fruit salad. Joy joined us for dinner and brought yams, pearled onions, sparkling apple cider and dessert: cheesecake.
Silas also made cranberry wassail which we enjoyed all weekend. YUM!
Grant loved the table cloth and played peek-a-boo for 5 mintues straight!
The evening of Christmas Day we were invited to our best friends' parent's home for dinner. We ate and talked for hours, which was lovely.
I am so grateful for a wonderful year, although it has been very hard. I have had some...issues with my temper and my kids. Silas has been in school NON STOP and the boys are basically used to him being gone all the time. We got moved from a ward we loved into a new one where we knew very few people. Silas's medical issues have been really bad at times this year and his pain has risen. His medicine was raised for a little while but they caused other issues so he just takes the lower dose and deals with it. Poor man.
It's been a good year too. Cleod participated in soccer and loved it. He also loves preschool which I do with two other friends once a week. He's reading and loves his friends. He prays sincerely and is a big helper.
Ryan loves everyone and is so funny. He still sucks his thumb, but only with his blankie. I think I'll give him until his fourth birthday until I really put my foot down. He loved nursery. Our new ward's nursery leaders were so good to him. I almost cried on Sunday when I picked him up for the last time.
Grant has been one of the best things about this year. He is such a joy in our lives. I think he's the peacemaker, although he can hold his own with his big brothers. He also already likes to help clean up, which I love.
Silas has a good job and works hard for us. I get to stay home with the kids. We are starting to really enjoy our new ward and have made lots of new friends. For Silas and I, as a couple, this has been the best year of our marriage. We have had such trials but we have also been more aware of each other's needs and our love has grown. We have gone to the temple regularly this year and have seen how that has blessed our marriage and our family more than I imagined.
Next year is looking even better...Silas will be done with school in May!!! Cleod will start Kindergarten in August (crazy, I know) and Ryan is already talking about preschool.
We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!
